Custom Stand for 180 Gallon Reef Tank

This is a video I put together on the stand I built for my 180 gallon reef tank. I cover the thought process I had while designing and building it as well as give a closer look at its construction. Maybe you can use this as an inspiration on your next build. Happy reefing! Music: The Beating Sun by Anima http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Anima/Dreamheart/02_anima_-_the_beating_sun Licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Custom Stand for 180 Gallon Reef Tank sentiment_very_dissatisfied 12

Reef tank 8 years ago 14,042 views

This is a video I put together on the stand I built for my 180 gallon reef tank. I cover the thought process I had while designing and building it as well as give a closer look at its construction. Maybe you can use this as an inspiration on your next build. Happy reefing! Music: The Beating Sun by Anima http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Anima/Dreamheart/02_anima_-_the_beating_sun Licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

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Most popular comments
for Custom Stand for 180 Gallon Reef Tank

bryan senulis
bryan senulis - 7 years ago
Good job. Always more fun to build it yourself. I built mine out of metal and welded it. I could have bought one but diy projects fun with our tanks
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
bryan senulis If I knew how to weld I probably would have gone that route too. I’m sure it turned out great. Thanks for watching!
Jacob Pena
Jacob Pena - 7 years ago
Where did you get the closet kit for the doors?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
+Jacob Pena yes, there is a guide, but I don’t use it. This is the exact kit I used https://m.lowes.com/pd/National-Hardware-1-Piece-72-in-Bi-pass-Door-Sliding-Closet-Door-Track-Kit/1000144513
Jacob Pena
Jacob Pena - 7 years ago
ReefSpy makes sense, do the doors sway back and forth than? Or is there a cleat on the bottom that holds them in place?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
Only had rail on the top, the door just hangs from that rail.
Jacob Pena
Jacob Pena - 7 years ago
ReefSpy thank you. Does it come with rails on top and bottom?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
Jacob Pena actually I was mistaken. I got the closet door hanging kit from Lowes, but you could probably find one at any store like that.
Tha Bizness Reef Tank
Tha Bizness Reef Tank - 7 years ago
L O V E I T ! ! !
tony spatafore
tony spatafore - 7 years ago
complex sump and filtration systems are more appealing to me than the tank and and its contents, i do like the content of fish tanks but a well organized filtration and maintenance setup is just an art to me. the tank and its content is like the cherry on top. awesome.
OG`s Fishroom
OG`s Fishroom - 7 years ago
Nice work, and vid. Do you have support in your basement to support all that weight in your living room?
Charles P
Charles P - 7 years ago
Check out my channel when you get a sec. I'm gonna be watching yours for sure! Huge tank.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
Sure man. Thanks for stopping by.
Bearded Leprechaun
Bearded Leprechaun - 7 years ago
I also have an Aqueon 180 reef ready tank. Which I built my stand for. How did you get away without having center braces in the back and the front of the stand? I thought anything over 4ft long (Tank wise) needed a center brace? Is your stand/tank still up any running this present day?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
According to the plans, it says 2x6 is OK for 72" tanks up to 125-150 gallons. Anything larger should use 2x8. I wouldn't risk it.
Bearded Leprechaun
Bearded Leprechaun - 7 years ago
I used 2x6. I wonder if they would hold up? Your thoughts? I used the same plans just didn't pay attention to the wood size to use. I read another guide that said 2x6x8's would be fine for a 6FT tank.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
+Bearded Leprechaun Thanks for stopping by, I used these plans: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110
It said I could use 2x8's for a tank my size. I've still got it running and stand still is holding up.
hakan ozdemir
hakan ozdemir - 7 years ago
very nice no. Looks classy good work bro
hakan ozdemir
hakan ozdemir - 7 years ago
hi, is this a 5 or 6 foot thank
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
hakan ozdemir its a 6 foot tank. The dimensions are 6x2x2

10. comment for Custom Stand for 180 Gallon Reef Tank

EDK ReefMeister
EDK ReefMeister - 7 years ago
Looks great and solid.
Brian Browning
Brian Browning - 7 years ago
Were did you get the colored pipes for plumbing?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
Brian Browning Bulk Reef Supply sells it. They have a lot of different colors.
João Victor Fernandes
João Victor Fernandes - 7 years ago
Great job! Could you share your Hydra setting?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
I will do a video on my light settings soon, but here is what I currently have them set to:
Cool White: 55
Violet: 65
Deep Red: 45
Green: 45
Deep Blue: 75
Royal Blue: 65
UV: 65

It is set to Florida Keys location with a ramp time of 2 hours. These are the older Hydra 52s, not the newer HD version. Hope this helps!
Greetje Buijert-Nijdam
Greetje Buijert-Nijdam - 7 years ago
❤ღ❤ ░GREETZ░FROM░NEDERLAND░❤ღ❤
Lovebetta
Lovebetta - 7 years ago
Wow. I am so jealous. It's so neat.
Cali Cichlid Man
Cali Cichlid Man - 7 years ago
nice looking stand. Your tank looks really nice. I subbed.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
thanks! just subbed you back
Thomas Coleman
Thomas Coleman - 7 years ago
Great tank what about tour of the engine room
Thomas Coleman
Thomas Coleman - 7 years ago
ReefSpy ok checking it out
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
+Thomas Coleman thanks man! Check back in my video list. I did a 3 part series equipment tour. It was a couple months ago, not that much has changed.
Wil Santiago Reefing
Wil Santiago Reefing - 7 years ago
Great looking tank! Nice work on the stand too.
BFB Bahrain Fish Breeder
BFB Bahrain Fish Breeder - 7 years ago
Great job
dannysreeftank
dannysreeftank - 7 years ago
beast tank!!! subbed; check out my tank as well1
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
dannysreeftank thanks man!

20. comment for Custom Stand for 180 Gallon Reef Tank

Carlos Argoncillo
Carlos Argoncillo - 7 years ago
everything looks perfect.. not just the stand.. good job!
Dan X
Dan X - 8 years ago
Awesome setup! What kind of tang is that at 1:23?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 7 years ago
That's a Powder Brown tang.
einsteindrieu
einsteindrieu - 8 years ago
Beautiful Tank !--You did a Beautiful Job.Your tank weight is around 2,000 lbs.,your cabinet 2x4's will suport 16,000 lbs.Your house is nice.Thank's for the Beautiful Music.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+einsteindrieu thanks man! Just wanted to share what I created after learning from everyone else out there.
Dan X
Dan X - 8 years ago
What kind of tang is that at 1:24? Awesome setup!
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Dan X thanks Dan. That is my Powder Brown tang, although he is much more yellow than most I've seen.
Ryan Kindred
Ryan Kindred - 8 years ago
Awezome reef!!!
Man Cave Reef
Man Cave Reef - 8 years ago
Very nice set up
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Cheers
Prieto Reef
Prieto Reef - 8 years ago
nice
iamfrommars2000
iamfrommars2000 - 8 years ago
awesome job, your video has inspired me to build one for my own. Have 75 gal, will upgrade to 125 and move my freshwater fish there. 75 will be moving down to basement for Reef tank.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Dude that's awesome! This is exactly why I post my vids, hopefully to inspire someone to build on the ideas. i learned alot from everyone else, and just passing my experience along. Good luck with the build and hope to see some vids of it some day!
hall2jc
hall2jc - 8 years ago
Hey reefspy! I am in the process of plumbing my 180, is yours a marine land? Mine is marineland and it came with plumbing, curious if yours did as well. If that is the case how do you like it? Thanks, love the tank!
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Yep, sounds like we have the same tank. I used the plumbing kit that came with it as well. Works perfectly, good choice!
Troll Doll
Troll Doll - 8 years ago
stand looks like shit.

30. comment for Custom Stand for 180 Gallon Reef Tank

Frank L
Frank L - 8 years ago
Great job, looks very nice and functional.  Awesome tank too, really like your selection and placement of your corals.  One question, your protein skimmer, is it alittle tight when cleaning?
Frank L
Frank L - 8 years ago
No I don't, I got out of the hobby back in the middle 90's, focusing on my children growing up.  I found out that having a reef tank kept me from taking any vacations, lol.  I couldn't trust anybody to keep an eye on it if I were to leave.  I had 6.000.00 invested in that system back then.  To me a small fortune for a hobby.  I was wanting to set up another, maybe a 300, and my wife keeps telling me to go for it, but certain issues keep me from moving forward, like 2 of my children getting married early next year, lol. Take care, and Merry Christmas!
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Cool! thanks for sharing. The equipment may have changed, but the contents of the tank still looks the same! One of the great things is you can make this hobby as complex or simple as you like. I always considered my system a bit basic, but maybe I need to rethink that thought. lol. Good job on that tank, do you still have one running?
Frank L
Frank L - 8 years ago
OH, by the way, it was new vhs camera, learning how to use it, and then converted to digital signal to put on you tube.  Rough in quality, click on 480, the highest quality to view. 
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Frank L yes it is. the cup can be removed easily, which is what I clean most often, but removing the entire skimmer is tight but possible. Going an extra inch taller on the stand would have helped.
Alvin Park
Alvin Park - 8 years ago
great tank. how much time do you put in daily for maintenance?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+Alvin Park thanks. Probably more than I need to. Lol. Every time I walk by I get drawn in and end up doing something like check filters or clean the glass. But basic maintenance is do water change every 7-10 days, clean/change filter socks every 3-4 days, test water parameters weekly, clean glass every day or two, clean skimmer cup once a week, and refill the dosing chemicals every couple of weeks.
Dude-Dude Petty
Dude-Dude Petty - 8 years ago
that tank is Beautiful
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+DATDUDE PETTY thanks man
mchristofas
mchristofas - 8 years ago
did Blade Brown help with the stand?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+mchristofas He cut the trees down himself.
Dee From Brooklyn
Dee From Brooklyn - 8 years ago
Your tank is magnificent. If i want so lazy I'd rebuild my stand taller to facilitate a larger sump without center braces too
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+Dee From Brooklyn well, it's
Not gonna happen on its own, you know what you gotta do. Lol.
Dee From Brooklyn
Dee From Brooklyn - 8 years ago
ReefSpy Exactly, but I've been looking at it for 12 years now. . I'm wanting to do an overhaul
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
once water is in, that's it! lol major undertaking to change something like that.
Micah Whalen
Micah Whalen - 8 years ago
Tank looks great! Great job on the stand.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Thanks Micah. It's working out well for me.
Reefer Nanoman
Reefer Nanoman - 8 years ago
Awesome job on the stand. Thank you for sharing.
mnelson10000
mnelson10000 - 8 years ago
I want to build a stand without a center brace for my 180, also... thanks for giving me the confidence that it's possible! I might have missed it, are the top boards 2x6 or 2x8? And do you have a link for the hardware you used to make the sliding doors? Thanks!
mnelson10000
mnelson10000 - 8 years ago
Nice, thanks!
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+mnelson10000 I used 2x8 on the top. I think this is the exact slider I used: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Stanley-National-Hardware-72-in-Bi-Pass-Door-Sliding-Closet-Door-Track-Kit/3169005
Paul Chippington
Paul Chippington - 8 years ago
That custom stand is mint. looks awesome
Mike Lemming
Mike Lemming - 8 years ago
Awesome video ReefSpy! Well done!
Reggie's H&P Cichlids
Reggie's H&P Cichlids - 8 years ago
Great video amazing aquarium!
PsychedelicBabe
PsychedelicBabe - 8 years ago
That just looks so amazingly beautiful .... sat here with my mouth open in awe
NW Marine62
NW Marine62 - 8 years ago
looks really nice. good design and aesthetically pleasing. great job.
SweatyReef
SweatyReef - 8 years ago
When you look at a reef tank and see just the display and it is as clean looking as yours (no pipes and wires every where) you forget all the mechanics and systems below that make it work. Even with a clean looking sump area like yours it is still a sharp contrast to the display. I have said it before, awesome tank and system.
Feroz Reef
Feroz Reef - 8 years ago
great job with stand.
Rosco's Reef with Scott
Rosco's Reef with Scott - 8 years ago
awesome job buddy and it's a stunning stand.
Rotter Tube Reef
Rotter Tube Reef - 8 years ago
awesome! that tank is killer!
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Thanks Steve!
Billy Pipes
Billy Pipes - 8 years ago
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
578
kimuseni
kimuseni - 8 years ago
great job
Jorge Torres
Jorge Torres - 8 years ago
love how u have the downstairs.. everything looks well organized.. great jobs
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Thanks man!

50. comment for Custom Stand for 180 Gallon Reef Tank

915Mang
915Mang - 8 years ago
Pretty cool, Im staining mine. I used 2x6 I had 2x8 but they where to long. Lowes Saw was broke. Did you put any foam under your tank?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
you are not kidding. This thing was unbelievably heavy! do everything you can now, because once its in place, it is not moving ANYWHERE! lol
915Mang
915Mang - 8 years ago
Ill look into the foam, I ended up getting a 180g looks like yours actually, marineland used. I put a top on my stand, Ill skin the sides later on once I move the tank. I still need to leak test it. Damn thing is so heavy, thats why I havent done it yet.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+915Mang Hey man. Can't wait to see it! I didn't use any foam, I just have that open frame and the edges of tank sitting on that. Make sure everything it as level and straight as you can possibly get it. It wouldn't be a bad idea to use foam if you have it though. What size tank did you end up getting?
vegas reefer
vegas reefer - 8 years ago
great looking stand
Meldium
Meldium - 8 years ago
nice. I kinda made my cube stand frame very similar to this. love the door setup. neat idea.
always making me jealous Spy. Not fair hahaha how long is this reef up and going now?
don't know if you've seen my last video but I'm kinda stressed out with my 55g right now.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+Meldium Hey Mel. Water went in on March 2 of this year, so today is day 274. I just watched your video man. So sorry about that crack. We got alot of people out here, someone will come up with a plan. Hang in there.
Happiness is a Reef Tank
Happiness is a Reef Tank - 8 years ago
Great job on the stand! I like how the doors just come off if need be!
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+Happiness is a Reef Tank yeah. Makes maintenance so much easier.
Rad Perez
Rad Perez - 8 years ago
Really great job brother..... Beautiful Stand. Hopefully mine will be done soon, waiting on the granite top to arrive... Then off to the fun stuff...
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+Rad Perez that build is gonna be AWESOME!
lumbeejerk
lumbeejerk - 8 years ago
like to see how u added the separate fuge to the tank I need to do the same
lumbeejerk
lumbeejerk - 8 years ago
Nice gravity feed and drained bout to get the stuff to do the same but I want to plumb a frag tank in that way
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+nc fish guy you just gave me an idea for another video. :) basically it sits at a higher level than the rest of the sump. Water gets pumped in and just overflows back into the sump through that connecting pipe
lumbeejerk
lumbeejerk - 8 years ago
I want to do the same how did u do it ?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+nc fish guy it's working out well. So many pods living in there.
9StickNate
9StickNate - 8 years ago
That's an incredible setup you have there! Subscribed
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+9StickNate thanks nate
Daniel Fernandes
Daniel Fernandes - 8 years ago
Your tank looks awesome
Murphy's Reefing
Murphy's Reefing - 8 years ago
Nice video ReefSpy! I didn't realize the doors were removable, that's definitely a great idea. I would highly recommend anyone to build their own, especially if you have kids around.. I'd hate to see a tank collapse. that's what I've always thought about on my builds. I use 4x4 posts though. unfortunately like you I didn't get any video of the making just some pics. well done sir
Murphy's Reefing
Murphy's Reefing - 8 years ago
ReefSpy Always watch bro, nice content
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
4x4's will definitely hold the weight of anything you put up there! good stuff man, thanks for taking time to watch and comment!
CollectingCoral
CollectingCoral - 8 years ago
The stand is really nice and I had no clue since I started watching your videos that you actually constructed it yourself. Nice work!
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Thanks!
John Beltran
John Beltran - 8 years ago
sorry about my spelling Colt Coral nice Stan
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
John Beltran if its the one way on the right of the tank, that's my Kenya tree. Thanks for watching!
John Beltran
John Beltran - 8 years ago
set alarm cold Coral to the right if it is I never seen a gold one before I have a pink one
Infamous Aquatics
Infamous Aquatics - 8 years ago
about how much did this cost?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+Infamous Aquatics yeah, I didn't go super crazy with trim and nice finishing boards which would obviously add to the cost, but I'm happy with how it turned out.
Infamous Aquatics
Infamous Aquatics - 8 years ago
Thank you! This is way more affordable then buying one and doesn't seem too difficult.
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
+Infamous Aquatics Hey Infamous. I don't remember exactly, but probably like $150-200? I remember the doors being most expensive part. They were cabinet grade wood and like $25 each. Each light was like $20 too. The rest wasn't bad.
tomas dx
tomas dx - 8 years ago
Love your videos bro! Liked and subscribed !
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
tomas dx Thanks tomas!
DebTim A CANADIAN Girl
DebTim A CANADIAN Girl - 8 years ago
Hi Spy.. it's awesome.. I love the dark stain wood.. I can see how thick the beams are.. and on top of all that it's stunning!!
DebTim A CANADIAN Girl
DebTim A CANADIAN Girl - 8 years ago
My hubby made the same one for me for 3 of my tanks.. it's such a good feeling knowing you are solid and safe. Great Job Spy
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Thanks, yeah I don't think its going anywhere. lol
saintpinoy1984
saintpinoy1984 - 8 years ago
Cost?
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
Sorry, I don't remember the exact cost, but you can see i didn't do anything fancy, and I re-used material from old projects where I could. So just factor in the cost of lumber, some wood stain, screws, and door sliders. I remember the doors were the most expensive parts, since I bought cabinet grade wood panels for them. Maybe I spent about $150-200 total on this stand?
PRFishGirl
PRFishGirl - 8 years ago
I used those same plans for my stand!! Great minds think alike..gymnasts can do splits on my stand lol
ReefSpy
ReefSpy - 8 years ago
haha nice! yeah, its a solid design.

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